What is an Autobahn, and why does America need it?
Autobahn is Germany’s interstate highway system engineered to optimize traffic flow. It has limited access points similar to the American Interstate system, but differs for blending stretches with only advisory or variable speed limits based on overall conditions, and others of permanent speed limits. Regarding driving on public roads, the Autobahn is considered by many enthusiasts as the pinnacle of driving experience.
Why does America need its own version of the Autobahn?
CULTURE OF RESPONSIBLE AND PROFICIENT DRIVING: It may sound counterintuitive, but it would help promote a culture of responsible and proficient driving, resulting in safer highways. Studies have shown a much lower number of deaths in Germany motorways with 1.41 deaths per billion vehicle km, versus 3.45 in the USA. The difference is stunning.
TRAFFIC FLOW: It would allow drivers to take advantage of the extraordinary US Interstate Highway infra-structure already in place, to move much faster within certain stretches already conducive to higher speed driving, and in the future, other stretches prone to adaptation.
DRIVING REVIVAL: Younger generations have been losing interest in driving, and with reason—what we have today is a combination of stressful city with boring highway driving. If you go a little faster you’re always at risk of getting a fine and even losing your license, even if done in a perfectly safe manner. On the flipside, you have other areas where lots of people are speeding in total unsafe conditions. Having stretches of highways where it’s legal and safe to drive faster, under a defined set of simple rules, would bring back the pleasure and excitement of the driving experience. It would also help revitalize the interest in the auto industry, after all, what’s the point of having a high performance car if you can’t truly use it?
TRANSPORT EFFICIENCY: A more nuanced system with optimized speeds, combined with the upcoming self-driving vehicles, would help unleash the true potential of the American Interstate System to maximize highway transport efficiency and maintain America’s global economic lead.
WE CAN ALSO HAVE THE NICE THINGS! Simply, why not? Sure, it’s a “long road", but we must pave the way (puns intended!). We must believe that with a bit more emphasis on driving education, the American people is just as capable to take advantage of a better highway system, and overall safer driving environment.
LEFT LANE DRIVING: We’re not advocating for reckless driving, much to the opposite. People who can drive but are unable or unwilling to drive at faster speeds, must have the right to safely do so. A couple huge issues and contributing factors to countless accidents, however, is the combination of inattention with the bad habit of people stuck on the left lane. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving at the speed limit, the law is clear—the left lane is for passing. To make matters worse, some speed-limit-vigilantes make it a point to stuck on the left lane, at speed limit or less, and hold faster traffic. This causes impatient drivers, as well as drivers who have a perfectly legitimate reason to driver faster, to resort to attempt to pass on the right lane and other maneuvers, with a cascade of dangerous effects. One question for the vigilantes is, if you or a loved one were on the emergency room waiting for a surgeon to arrive, would you want that doctor to be stuck on the left lane? The point is, don’t make an assumption on why people are driving faster, let the police sort that out, move to the right lane and be happy!
